Concrete-block-molding machine.



J. W. BRAGSTKD. V CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.5, 1911.

Patented Oct. 22, 1912.

3 SHEETSSH?6E?0LY6 [/VVEN TOR Attorneys COLUMBIA PLANOGRAFH 110., WASHINGTON. n. c.

J. WQBRAGSTKD.

I CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.5, 1911. I Patented Oct. 22, 1912.

3 SHBETS-SHEET 2.

JLL'MBIA PL ANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON. D. C.

J. W. BRAGSTKD. CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.5, 1911. 1,041,731 Patented Oct.22, 1912.

3 SHBETS-SHEET 3.

2/ [NI/EN TOR A [far/12315 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cc., WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED srA'rEs PATENT orrroa.

JOSEPH w. BRAGSTl-LD, or CANTON, soUTH DAKOTA.

CONCRETE-BLOCK-MOLDING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1912.

Application filed October 5, 1911. Serial No. 652,961.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH W. Bnaosriin, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Canton, in the county of Lincoln and State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Concrete-Block-Molding Machines, of which.

the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in concrete block molding machmes and is more especially designed for the manufacture of concrete blocks by the employment of a plurality of separable mold elements consisting of border plates and cores.

adhesion of the wet concrete to the plate-s.

A further object is to provide face and rear plates in such a machine which are removable by an initial movement at the bot-. tom of the block while leaving the pallet and.

end plates undisturbed.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a face plate pivoted at its top and movable forwardly and rearwardly against the front face of the block within the mold for the purpose of filling and finishing said face thereof and also in providing a machine capable of forming different lengths of blocks.

It is also designed to provide face and rear plates linked together by counterbalanced members, the disengagement of which face-plate with two end plates is necessary to allow a substantially vertical displacement of the face plate and retraction of the rear plat-e. 7 1

While these are the main objects of the present invention, it is to be noted that certain features thereof and more especially those with respect to the vertically. movable mold core are substantially identical with those set forth in my former Letters Patent #951,723, dated March 8, 1910 and for this reason the same will be only described in a general manner herein. The same is substantially true with respect to the preferred form of block herein shown as the article of manufacture as well as the three core members employed, which latter howvices 24.

ever are modified for their accommodation with the present construction. It will nevertheless be understood that many difierent forms of blocks may advantageously be manufactured by aid of the present machine by mere changes in the form and dimensions of the core members required.

In the drawing forming a part of this application and in which like designating numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is afront elevation of the invention, Fig. .2 is an end elevation of the machine, Fig. 3 is a plan View of the same, Fig. 4t is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken upon line 4lt, of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a plan view of a completed block of the preferred form produced by the present machine, Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the suspended position of the face plate as positioned when the mold is open, and Fig. 7 is a detail view of the link and pivot mounting of the rear plate.

Referring in detail to the drawings a table form of support for the machine elements is employed consisting of a base plate 10 and depending sides 11 and ends 12, the same being mounted upon oppositev end standards 13.

The elements which are common to the present invention and my former patent above noted constitute a fundamental machine as first set forth herein. Centrally of the base plate 10, an irregular opening 14 is provided adapted for accommodation during movement in a vertical plane of the substantially rectangular central core member G closed at its top and mounted upon a yoke 15 secured interiorly at the bottom thereof, which latter in turn is mounted upon the toothed rack 16 adapted to mesh with a segmental rack 17. exteriorly of the opposite sides 11 of the table by suitable hold-fast devices 19, while the lower horizontal portion 2Ov of said abutment is adapted by engagement with the rack 16 to accurately position the same in mesh with the cooperating segment. For actuating the latter, a handle 21 is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 22, substantially centrally of which the segment 17 is secured,

An abutment 18 is secured depending brackets 23 longitudinally adjustably mounted upon the exterior of the opposite table sides 11 by hold-fast de- Cooperating with said central core member C which is vertically movable as heretofore described, the opposite end cores A and B are employed which are substantially of the form of one-half of said member C and being likewise closed at their tops, but however adapted for slidably seating upon the mold pallet 25, which latter is removablymounted upon the base 10 and is provided with an irregular central opening 26 of the same dimensions as and alining with the opening 14 of the base. With the core members A, B and C positioned abutting each other, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the lower twisted anchor member 27 is impinged between the said members, lying in horizontal end slots 28 of the members A and B and provided with slanting bottoms for allowing the lateral removal of said members without touching the anchors.

Upper anchors 29 are similarly placed, the receiving slots 30 therefor however being open at the top of said end core members while at the same time having similar sloping bottoms.

The described form of elements being in general and with the exception of certain modifications the same as those heretofore patented to me, novel features of the invention will now be specifically set forth. The base member 10 at a point slightly removed from the opposite ends thereof is provided with half bearings 31 which cooperating with the blocks 32 secured to said base by the bolts 33 form journals for the hinged shafts 34 of the mold end plates 35, which are thereby positioned when closed in an engagement with the upper face of the pallet 25 at its opposite ends. Said end plates 35 being movable by hand upon their hinges and locked in closed posit-ion in a manner hereinafter described, are designed upon the opening operation thereof to exert a straight outward pull upon the end core members A and B resulting in initially sliding the same in opposite directions upon the supporting pallet 25. Such operation is accomplished by the provision of curved loop members 36 projecting from the inner faces of the end plates 35 within said end core members and adjacent each inner opposite side wall thereof, which latter are provided with inwardly projecting bolts or studs 37 riding within the said loops. A turning of an end plate upon its hinge therefore results in a slight initial direct outwardly sliding movement of the end core member linked thereto, which move ment is terminated by an engagement of the studs 37 with the ends of the encircling loops 36 after which a further movement of the plate carries the core member therewith in an arcuate path.

The mold proper consisting of mold plates arranged in rectangular formation upon the supporting pallet 25, embodies in addition to the end plates 35 just described a rear plate 38 and a front or facing plate 39, which said four plates .inclose the core members A, B and O when assuming a closed position as shown in plan in Fig. 3.

The rear plate 38 being of a length coextensive of that of the block to be formed, is mounted at its opposite ends upon links 40, which are pivoted as at 41 to brackets 42 secured to the outer face of the table sides 11 at points slightly removed from the opposite ends thereof as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4. This rear plate 38 has its opposite ends pivoted as at 43 at intermediate points to said links 40, while outwardly projecting lugs 44 are provided with longitudinal slots 45 adapted for. the reception of studs or bolts 46 carried by the upper ends of said links 40. By this manner of mounting said rear plate 38, it will be evident that an outward movement of the links 40 will result in an initial positive movement of the bottom of said plate through the agency of the positive pivot connection 43, while the upper end of said links may freely move a limited distance outwardlyand to the extent of the length of the slots 45. This arrangement provides a positive movement of the bottom of the plate 4 and at the same time a releasing of pressure from the top thereof and all of which results in an easy disengagement of the said face plate from the blockwit-hout disturbing or injuring the block facing. and positioned thereon outwardly of the pivotal connection for the links 40 are the counterpoise rails 47 each of which is provided with a sliding adjustable weight 48 proper.

The front or face plate 39 is provided with ears 49 at its opposite ends and by which through the agency of the bolts 50 said face plate is pivotally swung between the ends of the two rails 47. Adjacent the 'moving said face plate upon its pivot pins 50 and whereby said facing plate may be moved back and forth against the face of the block to a limited degree without com- ,pletely disengaging the lugs 53 from theseats 52.

When such a disengagement however takes place, the' weights 48 may be Also pivoted to the bolts 46 I positioned outwardly from the machine allowed. to lower and thereby elevate the facing plate 39 to substantially the position shown in Fig. 6, the rails 47 assuming the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This movement of said rails 47 upon the pivotal connections 46 with the links 40 forces the rear plate 38 to its extreme open position as heretofore described. The lower end of each link 40 is provided with a heel 58, which upon an outward pivotal movement of the link 40, will abut the outer face of the table side 11 and thus prevent any excess of outward movement and will limit such movement to a position of the parts as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. By this arrangement, it will be noted that with the parts in their closed positions that the inwardly projecting lugs 55 of the rear plate and 51 of the face plate will securely engage the outer faces of the end plates 35 and as a further securing means therefor the rails 47 are closed into substantially parallel relation with the tops of.

said end members. The end plates 35 are also provided with latch members 56 pivoted thereto at convenient points and adapted to hook over said handles 54.

The rack operating handle 21 is provided with a spring-pressed lever 57 adapted to engage the outer end of one of the latch members 56, when the handle 21 is positioned with the central core C in its closed or elevated position. v

For the purpose of employing the same machine for the manufacture of two different lengths of blocks the two end plates 35 are adapted to be moved inwardly for the accommodation of their hinge bars 34 within the inwardly positioned sockets 60. This arrangement of the end plates is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and for retaining the same in closed position removable clamping lugs 61 are employed upon the inner faces of the front and rear plates 39. When said end plates are so positioned for the manufacture of shorter blocks, the length of the pallet 25 may be limited to that of the block to be manufactured thereon, while the size and proportion of the core members may be correspondingly changed if desired. With this position of the end plates, the latch member 56 may be provided of extra length so as to be pivoted at the opposite side of the machine to the bolts 43 or suitable extensions thereof.

From this description of the machine, the complete operation thereof .is believed to be apparent and the same may be briefly described as follows: With the cores and plates in closed position as shown in Fig. 3, the lower anchors 27 are placed in position and the moist concrete tamped into the mold in the usual manner until the mold is filled to the bottom of the sockets 30, when the upper anchors 29 are inserted therein and the tamping operation is continued until the cement fills the mold and lies flush with the top thereof. By releasing the latch members 56, the operator may force the face plate 39 by aid of the handles 54 back and forth against the block and may also interpose the facing substance if desired during all of which time the face plate 39 is retained from elevating by a sliding engagement between the seats 52 and lugs 53. This facing may be deposited upon the block under the face plate for instance in the form of fine or partially powdered material sifted or thrown thereon. Whenever desired, a disengagement of these elements allows the counterweights 48 to not only lift the face plate 39, but to open the rear plate 38, the operation being to remove completely out of the way through the agency of the rails 47, both the face and rear plates, whereupon the end plates 35 are entirely released and may be moved upon their hinges. This latter movement forces outwardly as before described, the core sections A and B and thereafter or at a prior time as may be desired an operation of the handle 21 lowers the central core C, so that the concrete block of the form shown in Fig. 5 is left entirely free upon the pallet 25.

While the forms of the invention herein shown and described are what are believed to be the preferable embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless to be understood that changes may be made in form, proportion and details of construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the append-ed claims.

I claim:

1. A cement block machine comprising face, rear and end plates, a pallet, link connection members between said face and rear plates, said face plate pivoted at the top thereof to the forward ends of said link members, said link members adapted for engagement with said end plates with the latter contacting the face and rear plates when in closed relations, rearwardly-projecting lugs at the top of said rear plate and each of said lugs having a slot therein, bolts carried by said link members and engaging in .said slots adapted for providing a sliding pivotal connection between said link members and rear plate.

2. A cement block machine comprising face, rear and end plates, a pallet, link connection members between said face and rear plates, said face plate pivoted at the top thereof to the forward ends of said link members, said link members adapted for engagement with said end plates when in closed relations with said end plates contacting the face and rear plates, sliding pivotal means between said rear plate and link members whereby the tops of said face and rear plates are relatively separable, and

a common support for said pallet and link members.

3. A cement block machine comprising face, rear and end plates, a pallet, link con-: noct-ion members between said face and rearf plates, said face plate pivoted at the topthereof to the forward ends of said link members, said link members adapted for engagement with said end plates when in closed relations with said end plates contacting the face and rear plates, sliding fl pivotal means between said rear plate and link members whereby the tops of said face? and rear plates are relatively separable, lugs provided adjacent to the bottom of said rear, plate, upright links pivoted intermediateg their ends to said lugs, the upper ends of? said upright links pivoted to said link con-{l iiection members, and a common support for;

. tions.

said pallet and upright links.

4. A cement block machine comprising face, rear and end plates, a pallet, link con-1 nection members between said face and rear plates, said face plate pivoted at the top thereof to the forward ends of said link members, rearwardly-projecting lugs at the top of said rear plate and each of said "lugs having a. slot therein, bolts carried by said link members and engaging in said slots, lugs provided adjacent the bottom of said rear plate, upright links pivoted intermediate their ends to said lugs, the upper endsof said upright links pivoted to said bolts, a table support for said plates and pallet, and brackets carried by the rear of said table support, the lower ends of said upright links pivoted to said brackets.

5. A cement block machine comprising a vertically movable central core member, a table support, a pallet mounted upon said support, end plates hinged to said support, end core members linked to said end plates and having an initial sliding movement in opposite directions in the opening operation.

6. A cement block machine comprising a vertically movable central core member, a table support, a pallet mounted upon said support, end plates hinged to said support, end core members linked to said end plates and having an initial sliding movement in opposite directions in the opening operation, and a pivoted face plate movable into and out of engagement with said end plates and a laterally movable rear plate.

7. A cement block machine comprising a vertically movable central core member, a

table support, a pallet mounted upon said support, end plates hinged to said support, end core members linked to said end plates and having an initial sliding movement in opposite directions in the opening operation, a pivoted face plate movable into and out of engagement with said end plates and a laterally movable rear plate, automatic means for actuating said face and rear plates, and. weights carried by said means.

8. A cement block machine comprising face, rear and end plates, links to which said face plate is pivoted adjacent to the top thereof, a slotted pivotal connection between said links and rear plate, a table support, upright members pivoted between said links, rear plate andsupport, and said links adapted to retain said end plates incontact with said face and rear'plates when in closed rela 9. A cement block machine comprising face, rear and end plates, links to which said face plate is pivoted adjacent the topthereof, a slotted pivotal connection between said links and rear plate, a table support,-upright members connecting said links and rear plate to said support, said face plates provided with sockets therein, projections carried by said end plates and adapted to, engage within said sockets, and said links adapted to retain saidend plates in contact with-said face and rear plates in their closed positions.

10. A cem'ent' block machine comprising a doubly pivoted rear plate, a top pivoted face plate, bottom pivoted end plat-es, all of said plates being adjustable with respect to each other, and linkcoimectionsbetween said rear and face plates adapted for engaging the end plates in contact with the rear and face plates with the machine in its closed position.

11. A cement block machine comprising a base plate, a pallet mounted thereon, a vertically movable face plate, automatic means for elevating said face plate, a laterallymovable rear plate pivoted to said'elevated means, a support, and apivotal link between said support, rear plate and. elevating means.

In testimony whereof I aiiix signature in presenceof two witnesses.

JOSEPH W. BRAGSTAD.

lVitnesses:

P. A. OVERSE'II-I, E. M. DEAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Ia'tents,

Washington, D. C. 

